MOBILE, Ala. – The Fighting Illini men's golf program returned to team tournament play for the first since the abrupt end of 2019-20 season last March, capturing a wire-to-wire victory at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate, behind a sustained effort that included a first-place showing from senior Michael Feagles.

"It was fun to get back out and compete," head coach Mike Small said. "These guys were so excited to play this week. I can say they all genuinely love college golf, and love playing with each other, for Illinois. To see their excitement to get back out there and play after what happened 11 months ago was just awesome to see.

The Illini posted a team score of 827 (-37) to run away with the team title by 17 strokes over Big Ten foe Indiana (844). Kent State (848), Louisville (850) and UAB (852) rounded out the top five.  

"It's a good golf course," Small added. "It was soft and cold, so it wasn't playing its hardest. But to come out and shoot the scores that we shot and to get off to the start that we had the first round, and then sustain it all the way through was fun to watch."

Four Illini posted top-10 finishes, led by Feagles, who completed his own wire-to-wire victory to capture his second-career tournament win. Feagles carded 67-67-66 to finish at 16-under. His 54-hole total of 200 ranks as the second-lowest in program history, and eclipsed his personal best 201 set during his win at the 2019 NCAA Myrtle Beach Regional.

Sophomore Jerry Ji (208), finished eight strokes off Feagles' pace to capture a second-place finish, while junior Tommy Kuhl finished one stroke behind Ji in a four-way tie for third. Both Ji and Kuhl notched career-best finishes. Kuhl's 209 also marked a career-low score. Junior Adrien Dumont de Chassart (211) tied for ninth, his sixth-career top-10 finish. Senior Brendan O'Reilly rounded out the Illini lineup, finishing in a tie for 47^th with a three-round total of 221 (+5)

Three Illini competed as individuals during the week, led by sophomore transfer Nico Lang who made his debut in Orange and Blue with a 4-over 220 to finish in a tie for 44^th. Senior Giovanni Tadiotto finished one stroke behind Lang in tie for 47^th, while freshman Piercen Hunt rebounded from an opening round of 80 to tie for 67^th at 228 (+12).

Next up, the Illini travel to SEC country to face a strong field at the LSU Invitational hosted at the University Club in Baton Rouge, La., Feb 26-28.